Do electric vehicles do well in hot weather? How high temps could affect your EV.
Will high summer temperatures affect how electric vehicle owners drive?
- Extreme heat can be especially troubling for electric vehicle owners.
- High temperatures can be disastrous for the lithium-ion batteries that power EVs.
- There are ways to keep EVs cool without sacrificing range.
Summer has just begun and it's already shaping up to be a scorcher. Several states are reaching record high temperatures.
There were over four million electric vehicles on American roads in 2024, with EVs accounting for 1.4% of all vehicles, according to Experian Automotive. Some companies like General Motors are selling more electric vehicles than ever before. So, are millions of American electric vehicle owners going to have issues charging and driving their EVs this summer?
How does extreme heat affect electric vehicle performance?
Most major automakers including Ford, General Motors, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Volkswagen, and more have rolled out electric vehicle nameplates. Though the United States' EV adoption process may be sluggish compared to other countries, electric vehicles have become ubiquitous in some of the largest cities in America like Los Angeles and San Francisco.
One of the greatest challenges that electric vehicle owners face is performance issues related to extreme temperatures. Most popular electric vehicles transfer power to wheels using lithium-ion batteries and electric motors. These batteries are extremely sensitive to very high and low temperatures.
High temperatures can cause a loss of driving range, battery degradation, and slower charging times, according to Car and Driver. Ultimately, driving an electric vehicle in extreme heat is taxing on the vehicle's battery. Additionally the constant operation of an EV's air conditioning system can further deplete driving range.
Drivers who only plan on traveling for short distances in extreme temperatures may not need to be concerned. On the other hand, drivers relying on an EV's full driving range in optimal conditions may encounter frustrating performance issues.
How car brands are working to combat electric vehicle performance issues
Many automakers have developed thermal management systems for modern electric vehicles. These systems use liquid or air cooling methods to cool lithium-ion batteries. If these thermal management systems are ineffective an electric vehicle could be rendered immobile (or worse) due to the battery overheating.
Some electric vehicles have even caught on fire while charging due to overheating lithium-ion batteries. These events aren't exclusive to summer or extreme temperatures, but heat can exacerbate battery issues for EVs prone to overheating. Luckily for American drivers, while weather-related performance issues are tedious, there are plenty of measures owners can take to avoid major issues.
Ways to prevent electric vehicle performance issues in extreme heat
There's no surefire way to prevent an electric vehicle from overheating in extreme temperatures, but there are steps drivers can take to keep their EVs cooler and ensure better performance.
Steps to cool down your electric vehicle in high temperatures
- Park in shaded areas when possible to avoid heating up cabin
- Limit fast charging because higher wattage charging generates more heat
- Charge in spurts instead of one lengthy session
- Reduce air conditioning use by using rolling down windows when in motion
Owning an electric vehicle in extreme heat isn't always convenient. That said, there are workarounds that drivers can resort to if battery depletion or overheating is a concern.